Complete Guide to All UAE Visas in 2025

Everything You Need to Know About Types of Visas, How to Apply, and Requirements

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is one of the top destinations in the world for tourism, business, work, and long-term residence. Whether you’re planning a short visit or looking to settle in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, or anywhere in the UAE, you need the right visa.

In this blog, we will explain all types of UAE visas, how to apply, eligibility, documents needed, and common questions.

📌 Table of Contents

• 1. UAE Tourist Visas
• 2. UAE Visit Visas
• 3. UAE Transit Visa
• 4. UAE Employment Visa
• 5. UAE Freelancer Visa
• 6. UAE Golden Visa
• 7. UAE Green Visa
• 8. UAE Investor/Partner Visa
• 9. UAE Family Visa
• 10. UAE Retirement Visa
• 11. UAE Student Visa
• 12. UAE Remote Work Visa (Virtual Work)
• 13. UAE Residency by Property Investment
• 14. Special Entry Permits and Mission Visas
• FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

1. UAE Tourist Visas

Purpose: For travelers visiting the UAE for leisure or sightseeing.

Types:

• 30-day Tourist Visa (single entry or multiple entry)
• 60-day Tourist Visa (recent update)
• 5-Year Multi-Entry Tourist Visa

Eligibility:
Open to nationals of most countries (not visa-exempt).

Documents Required:

• Passport (valid for 6+ months)
• Passport-sized photo
• Travel insurance
• Return flight ticket
• Hotel reservation or accommodation address

Where to Apply:

• Airlines (Emirates, Etihad, FlyDubai)
• UAE-based travel agencies
• UAE residents can apply for relatives via GDRFA

2. UAE Visit Visas

Purpose: For visiting relatives or friends living in the UAE.

Types:

• 30-day, 60-day, and 90-day visit visas

Who Can Apply:
A UAE resident or citizen must sponsor the visitor.

Documents:

• Passport copy of the visitor
• Copy of the host’s Emirates ID and visa
• Proof of relationship (birth certificate, marriage certificate, etc.)

3. UAE Transit Visa

Purpose: For travelers stopping in the UAE while going to another destination.

Types:

• 48-hour transit visa (free)
• 96-hour transit visa (AED 50)

Eligibility:
You must have a layover between 8–96 hours and a confirmed onward flight.

Where to Apply:
Through airlines like Emirates or Etihad before travel.

4. UAE Employment Visa

Purpose: For foreign nationals who want to work in the UAE.

Process:

1. Job offer from a UAE company
2. Ministry of Human Resources & Emiratisation (MoHRE) approval
3. Work permit issuance
4. Medical test + Emirates ID + visa stamping

Documents:

• Passport copy
• Job contract
• Medical test results
• Qualification certificates
• Passport-size photo

Validity:
Typically issued for 2 years (renewable).

5. UAE Freelancer Visa

Purpose: For self-employed individuals working online or offering services without a full-time employer.

Eligible Fields:

• Marketing
• Media
• Tech
• Education
• Design
• Consultancy

Where to Apply:

• Dubai: GoFreelance.ae (by TECOM)
• Abu Dhabi: TwoFour54
• RAKEZ (Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone)

Documents:

• Portfolio or CV
• Passport copy
• Freelance permit/license
• No objection letter (if living in UAE)

6. UAE Golden Visa

Purpose: For long-term residence (5 or 10 years) for top talents, investors, and professionals.

Categories:

• Investors
• Entrepreneurs
• Scientists
• Professionals (Doctors, Engineers, Coders, etc.)
• Outstanding Students
• Humanitarian Workers
• Real Estate Investors (AED 2M+ property)

Key Benefits:

• No sponsor required
• Family visa included
• Multiple entry before residence issued

How to Apply:
Through ICA or GDRFA platforms online or offline.

7. UAE Green Visa

Purpose: 5-year residence visa for skilled professionals, freelancers, and investors.

Eligibility Criteria (Skilled Professionals):

• Salary of AED 15,000+
• Bachelor’s degree or higher
• Job in skilled category (Tier 1-3)

For Freelancers:

• Freelance license
• Proof of income (AED 360,000 over 2 years)

No sponsor or employer needed.

8. UAE Investor/Partner Visa

Purpose: For those starting or investing in a UAE-based company.

Types:

• Mainland Investor Visa (via DED license)
• Free Zone Investor Visa (via free zone authorities)

Requirements:

• Valid business license
• Investment documents
• Partner contract or shares certificate

Visa Duration:
Usually 2 years (renewable)

9. UAE Family Visa

Purpose: For UAE residents to sponsor their family.

Who Can Sponsor:

• Men earning AED 4,000/month or AED 3,000 + housing
• Women in certain professions (nurses, doctors, teachers)

Who Can Be Sponsored:

• Spouse
• Children (up to 25 years for boys)
• Parents (with extra conditions)

Documents:

• Proof of relationship
• Medical test for adult family members
• Tenancy contract
• Emirates ID of sponsor

10. UAE Retirement Visa

Purpose: 5-year residence for retirees over age 55.

Requirements:

• Property worth AED 1 million
• OR savings of AED 1 million
• OR monthly income of AED 15,000

Where to Apply:

• Dubai: Retire in Dubai program (by Dubai Tourism + GDRFA)

11. UAE Student Visa

Purpose: For foreign students studying in UAE universities.

Documents:

• Admission letter
• Passport copy
• Medical test
• Proof of financial support

Valid for 1 year, renewable each academic year.
Some top students may qualify for Golden Visa.

12. UAE Remote Work Visa (Virtual Work)

Purpose: 1-year visa for foreign remote workers working with a company outside UAE.

Requirements:

• Passport valid for 6+ months
• Proof of employment and income ($3,500/month minimum)
• Health insurance

Apply via:

• Dubai’s Virtual Working Program (visitdubai.com)

13. UAE Residency by Property Investment

Who Can Apply:
Anyone who owns property in the UAE valued at AED 750,000+ (or AED 2M+ for Golden Visa)

Requirements:

• Property Title Deed
• Fully paid or at least 50% paid mortgage
• Proof of ownership

Benefits:

• 2- or 10-year visa
• Family sponsorship

14. Special Entry Permits and Mission Visas

Types Include:

• Mission Visa (90 days for temporary work)
• Medical Treatment Visa
• Training/Internship Visa
• Entry Permit for Job Exploration
• Entry Permit for Business Exploration

Apply via:

• ICP (Federal Authority for Identity & Citizenship)
• GDRFA (Dubai)

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Can I convert a tourist visa to a residence visa?
A: Yes, by applying for a residence visa inside the UAE after getting a job or investing.

Q2: Can I apply for a visa without a sponsor?
A: Yes, for visas like the Golden Visa, Green Visa, and Freelance Visa, you don’t need a sponsor.

Q3: Can I renew my visit visa?
A: No, you cannot renew it from inside UAE. You must exit and reapply or use a visa run option.

Q4: How can I check my UAE visa status?
A: Use the ICP website (icp.gov.ae) or GDRFA Dubai website with your passport number and visa file number.

Final Words

The UAE offers many visa options for tourists, professionals, investors, students, and retirees. Choosing the right visa depends on your goals—whether you want to visit, work, live, or invest.

We recommend contacting a registered typing center, immigration advisor, or applying through official UAE portals like GDRFA, ICP, or Visit Dubai for updated procedures.